Open Calls Requiring 18+
Open calls restricted to photographers and artists aged 18 or older. Exhibitions, grants, competitions, and awards with an 18+ age requirement.
Encontros da Imagem Photobook Award 2026 · Encontros da Imagem
May 24, 2026 · €25
Two photobook awards (Best Published and Best Dummy) at 36th Encontros da Imagem. €1,000 each + group exhibition. Theme: Territory and Identity.
Open Panoràmic 2026 — Burning with Desire · Festival Panoràmic
May 25, 2026 · Free
Free open call from Festival Panoràmic (10th anniv.). 3 categories: still image, audiovisual essay, installation. Theme: Burning with Desire.
Stories: Narrative Photography · PH21 Gallery
May 25, 2026 · €25–€50
Curated group show on narrative and storytelling. Physical exhibition in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, July–August. Student rates available.
The Art of Abandonment · TCG Gallery
May 25, 2026 · $15
Themed exhibition exploring forgotten structures, objects, and places — what they reveal about humanity and time.
reFocus Awards - Black and White Photo Contest
May 25, 2026 · $25–$50
Black and white photography contest with $4,000 in prizes. Trophy, press coverage, artist directory. 19 categories.
BBA One Shot Award - Spring 2026
May 25, 2026 · €19
Single-image photo prize. 20 images exhibited at BBA Gallery Berlin. €300 + Artsy listing. Production covered.
Candid — Carlotta Gallery
May 26, 2026 · Free (£20–£35 if accepted)
The art of attention — rooted in presence, patience, and trust in the unfolding moment. Virtual exhibition.
see-zeen Issue 20 Open Call
May 27, 2026 · Free
Independent online magazine curating contemporary emerging photography. Open theme. Free, worldwide.
War/Conflict Photography in the Time of the Global Changes · Ukrainian House of Photography
May 30, 2026 · Free
Free call from Ukrainian House of Photography for IMPACT KYIV Forum. €300 per category + Kyiv exhibition. Documentary and conceptual.
Passage Art-Residency-Programme 2026 · Polygona Kunstverein
May 30, 2026 · Free
4-week residency in Wittenberg, Germany. €5,000 grant + accommodation. Themes: Ferropolis power station or Reformation archive.
Passage Art-Residency-Programme 2026 · Polygona Kunstverein / KOBRA
May 30, 2026 · Free
Four-week residency in Wittenberg region for photographers and filmmakers. €5,000 grant + accommodation. Two themed sites.
VAiF26 — Photography Portfolio Open Call 2026
May 31, 2026 · Free
Free open call from Visual Arts International Festival in Thessaloniki. Group exhibition in November 2026. Academic and curatorial jury.
Sonntag Grant 2026 Photobook Open Call
May 31, 2026 · €10
Berlin photobook open call for FLINTA artists, in collaboration with Replika Publishing. Winner gets photobook with 350+ print run.
Lisbon Street Photo Fest: Open Call 2026
May 31, 2026 · €10/image, €40/series
2nd edition. Street photography Singles & Series. €4,000 in prizes. Exhibition in Lisbon, Sept 25–27.
No Place Art — Edition Two: MATERIALITY
May 31, 2026 · £24
80 artists exhibited in London. 30+ awards including purchase awards, residencies, and solo exhibitions.
Life Framer — Portraits
May 31, 2026 · $20–$100
Monthly competition judged by Robin Hammond. Winners exhibited in New York, Tokyo, Milan, and Arles.
HIPA Photography Award 2026 · Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
May 31, 2026 · Free
Major international award. 2026 theme: Family. Free entry. Categories include Dreams Through AI and Sports.
Blank Wall Gallery — Best Portfolio 2026
May 31, 2026 · €50
One photographer wins a two-week solo exhibition with 40 prints and international promotion. Valued at €2,200+.
Photobook Open Call · Sonntag Grant
May 31, 2026 · €10
Photobook open call for FLINTA artists with Replika Publishing. 350+ copy print run. Book launch at Bildband Berlin.
VAiF26 — Photobook Open Call 2026
May 31, 2026 · Free
Free photobook open call at Visual Arts International Festival in Thessaloniki. Group exhibition in November 2026. No thematic restriction.
BLM Canyon Country District Artist in Residence 2026
June 1, 2026 · Free
2–4 week residency in Moab, UT, hosted by the BLM. Photography eligible. Free; $125/week stipend + campsite.
Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2026 · FotoDocument
June 1, 2026 · Free
£4,000 grant for female documentary photographers. 10th edition, supported by Nikon. Free entry. Exhibition at POST Brighton.
Archifoto 2026 — Architecture & Landscape · La Chambre
June 1, 2026 · €10
European architectural photography award, 8th edition. Theme: Architecture & Landscape. €500 per nominee + exhibition in Strasbourg.
Working Assumptions Project Grants 2026 · Working Assumptions
June 1, 2026 · Free
Six $10,000 grants for photography projects exploring family. Unrestricted funding for journalistic, artistic, or educational work.
Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2026 · FotoDocument
June 1, 2026 · Free
£4,000 grant for female documentary photographers. 10th edition. For photo essays on social, environmental, or cultural issues.
Watershed
June 1, 2026 · $30–$40 / 5 images
Themed juried photo exhibition on water. Juried by Luther Smith (TCU). Exhibition at Pool Gallery, Fort Worth. $400 first prize.
AAP Magazine #58 Black & White · All About Photo
June 2, 2026 · $30–$35
B&W themed issue of AAP Magazine. $1,000 cash + publication. Up to 40 images, min 3 as a cohesive series.
Minimalist Photography Awards 2026
June 2, 2026 · €20–€35
International award for minimalist photography. €2,000 grand prize, book publication, and exhibition. 12 categories.
PORTAL · Decagon Gallery
June 3, 2026 · $25/8 images
Transition & becoming — figures, spaces, suspended moments. Juried by Douglas Stockdale (PhotoBook Journal founder).
British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026
June 7, 2026 · £35–£40
UK wildlife photography awards — 12 categories. Winners in Collection 14 book + UK touring exhibition. Youth entry free.
Summer — Carlotta Gallery
June 10, 2026 · Free (£20–£35 if accepted)
Summer experienced differently across the world — intensity, brightness, stillness. Virtual exhibition.
Across America 2026 · The Art Center
June 14, 2026 · $25/3 images
Photography celebrating America's diverse essence — landscapes, people, culture. Juried exhibition in Dover, NH, July–August.
Black and White Photo Awards 2026
June 15, 2026 · €15 per category
International B&W competition — 6 categories incl. Architecture, Street, Landscape. €1,500 absolute winner + €200 per category.
Color 2026 · Grid Photo Gallery
June 15, 2026 · €7
Grid Photo Gallery's call exploring color as structure, signal, or atmosphere. Online exhibition. €7 per image, unlimited submissions.
Expand and Contract 2026 — American Documentary Photography · Los Angeles Center of Photography
June 16, 2026 · $25–$200
LACP virtual exhibition on American documentary photography in the 21st century. Juried by Dr. Rotem Rozental. $500 1st prize.
Barbara Spohr Memorial Award for Photography 2027 · Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
June 17, 2026 · $35 CAD
Fully funded month-long photography residency at Banff Centre. $1,000 materials + travel bursary. For mid-career Canadian photographers.
FiiLTHY GLO Issue 5 — SONDER
June 20, 2026 · Free
Indie zine for the strange and unusual. Issue 5 theme: SONDER. Photography accepted. Free, worldwide.
THAT ONE PHOTOGRAPH · Decagon Gallery
June 20, 2026 · $15
Single-image call on memory, intimacy, longing. $1,000 awards. Online exhibition + catalog from Decagon Gallery.
International Photography Awards 2026
June 30, 2026 · $20–$40
One of the most prestigious annual competitions. 23rd edition. $60,000 prize pool across eleven categories.
The Shape of a Moment · Exposure Photo Gallery
June 30, 2026 · $5–$20
Capturing fleeting moments. Gold Award winner receives solo exhibition. Juror: Gary Hershorn (Reuters).
2026 National Juried Photography Exhibition
June 30, 2026 · $45
National juried exhibition at Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg VA. $1,000 Best in Show. Juror: Kiera Hight.
Life Framer — Street Life
June 30, 2026 · $20–$100
Monthly competition judged by Shana Lopes (SFMOMA). Winners exhibited in New York, Tokyo, Milan, and Arles.
Alpine Fellowship Visual Art Prize 2026
July 1, 2026 · £10
Annual prize on the theme of JOY. All visual art media including photography. No AI.
Stanley Greene Foundation Emerging Photographers Grant 2026–2027
July 1, 2026 · Free
$10,000 grant for emerging visual storytellers, with emphasis on underserved and diverse communities. Honors Stanley Greene's legacy.
Seen / Unseen · Decagon Gallery
July 8, 2026 · $25
Online photography exhibition on the visible and the implied. Juror Ann M. Jastrab. $1,000 total awards.
Photography 4 Humanity / Fotografiska Global Prize 2026
July 12, 2026 · Free
Theme: HOME. Selected work exhibited at UN Headquarters NYC, curated by James Nachtwey. Free entry.
Home · Photography 4 Humanity
July 12, 2026 · Free
Exploring home — safety, belonging, dignity. Selected works exhibited at the United Nations HQ in New York.
Fotografiska HOME — Global Open Call
July 12, 2026 · Free
Global open call exploring home. Exhibition at UN Headquarters. Guest curator: James Nachtwey. No AI.
PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris 2026
July 22, 2026 · €20–€50
One of Europe's most prestigious awards. Categories from Analog to Advertising. Exhibited in Paris.
The Illume Awards 2026
July 31, 2026 · Free
Adventure and action sports photography awards (formerly Red Bull Illume). Free entry, 16 categories, Leica prizes, photobook, exhibition tour.
Analog Sparks — International Film Photography Awards 2026
July 31, 2026 · €10–€25
Discovering and promoting analog photographers. Exhibited at House of Lucie in Athens and Ostuni.
Life Framer — Planet Earth
July 31, 2026 · $20–$100
Monthly competition judged by Myrtille Delamarche (GEO Magazine). Winners exhibited in New York, Tokyo, Milan, and Arles.
Tokyo International Foto Award 2026
August 1, 2026 · €15–€50
International competition introducing photographers to Tokyo's creative community. Winners exhibited in Tokyo.
Future Photobook Award 2026 · Coventry University MA Photography & Fast Forward
August 7, 2026 · Free
Inaugural photobook award for HE students and recent grads. Open to any format including zines and handmade books. Free entry.
PhotoVogue Global Open Call 2026 — Brave New Visions
September 11, 2026 · Free
PhotoVogue's 2026 global open call. $12,000 in three grants, festival exhibition, Vogue publication. Free; deadline 11 September 2026.
Lucie Foundation Scholarship Program 2026
September 30, 2026 · $15–25
Four cash grants for Fine Art and Documentary photographers (pro and emerging). Winners tour House of Lucie galleries worldwide.
Fine Art Photography Awards 2026/2027
October 11, 2026 · $19–34
13th edition — 20 categories from landscape to street. $3K professional / $2K amateur grand prizes. 15 international jurors.
Exibart Street Photography Contest — 5th Edition
October 15, 2026 · €10–€49
International street contest by Italy's leading art magazine. Leica Q3 grand prize. Five categories.
XXIV Eurostars Grand Marina Photography Award — Josep Juanpere 2026
October 20, 2026 · Free
24th edition. Theme: Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture. €5,000 first prize. Submit photographic triptychs.
Chromatic Photography Awards 2026
October 25, 2026 · $17–$27
International color competition across 20 categories. Separate Professional and Amateur divisions.
Monochrome Awards 2026
November 15, 2026 · $17–$27
International B&W competition with 14 categories. Professional and amateur divisions. Annual book.
Annual Photography Awards 2026
December 13, 2026 · $25–$40
8th edition. Five main categories, 25 subcategories. Looking for bold and innovative approaches.
Fotografiska Emerging Artist Platform
Continuous · Free
Multiple open calls for emerging photographers. Exhibitions at Fotografiska museums and the UN Headquarters.
Innovate Grants - Quarterly Grants
Continuous · $35
Quarterly grants: 2 x $1,800 (one photographer, one artist). 18 honorable mentions per cycle.